Aloha,
My name is Cliff and this is my first work. I have no experience whatsoever . Just thought i'd share it with everyone. I have alot of questions and learning to do.

This little guy is from a piece of firewood i had outback (i think walnut). This is way too fun and I hope to be posting some better pieces in the future. From all the work i have seen so far you guys are amazing!

A little about me:
Been living in VA Beach VA for the last 7 years.
I'm a squid (thats US Navy Sailor for anyone thats never herd of the term before)
Love rum and the beach- (i try to spend alot of time with them both)
I have a beautiful family and I live right by the oceanfront so life is good.......
Mahalo,
Cliff (SEA-LUFF)

thanks guys i actually burned it again yesterday so it took out many of the chisel marks you see now. I also carved another little tiki to go with him.(i'll put the pics up later today).

As for the grey grainy look, its just handsanded. the key is to not go so deep, therefore you still have some of the cool top wood showing through.

As another side note: The above tiki has developed a large crack due to the wood being damp for so long outside and then being carved and brought inside. The crack runs full length down the face(of course.) The crack seemed to take the path of least resistance through the teeth and down alongside of the nose. To prevent this, I'm going to make a "sacrifical cut" on the backside of the log. I did it to 2 more logs i have to see what happens. Does anyone know anything about this? Like I said thease are just my first carvings from firewood i have outback so bare with me. Hope to get my hands on some good wood and do bigger and better things.

Welcome to TC Tiki Sea-Luff, don't luff yer sails around here, it won't get you anywhere either.
Nice first tiki for someone with No experience. It actually Does look pretty good and you should be Proud of it. Now if you are carving these same guys 6 or 7 tikis down the road, then you need to worry but this is a Perfece spring learning board. Every one you carve will be better and Better so keep Posting those pictures and we will help all we can. _________________FACEBOOK

whoa sorry i've been gone for a bit but i'm back carving again. today i just got a new dremel for the detail work, and found a nice old 3 ft oak log on the side of the road to boot. I'm also going to order some split 5 inch bamboo to do some mask work and to hang on walls and such. I'll do my best to stay updated on here.

cheers,
sea-luff

here is the link for the bamboo:http://www.anythingbamboo.com/TonkinPoles.htm

Here was an old one i did (my second one) but i never put the pics up. Its just a simple one but i wanted to focus on the basics. Started carving a new one today for a friend so hopefully i will have him done by monday evening.

Hey sorry been kinda busy lately. Started a new tiki yesterday hopefully it will be done this weekend but with the crazy weather who knows when i will get outside to finish it up. Its for my buddy so I'm really trying to step it up on this one a few notches.

Any ways thanks for all the kind comments i'm just trying to get the hang of this whole thing. I live in salt marsh behind shadowlawn. Its just close enough to the beach so i can ride bikes to surf and the bars, its niiiiiiiiice! Good to see you other VB cats on here!